Romans 14:1

Romans 14:1-9. Christian practice: mutual toleration: each individual directly responsible to the Redeemer

1. Him that is weak, &c. Lit. But him that is weak, &c. The "but" marks a slight contrast with the previous passage. Probably this is q. d., "I have just spoken of vigour and thoroughness in your spiritual life; butlet this be such as to leave you gentle and sympathetic with imperfectly-enlightened converts. Be severe with self, gentle with others."

in the faith So lit.; but render in his faith. See notes on Romans 12:3; Romans 12:6. Here, as there, a subjectiveexplanation of the word "faith" is better, in view of the usage of this Epistle.

receive you The Gr. tense is the present, and perhaps indicates (what is otherwise probable) that St Paul means not only the first welcome of a new believer, but the continuedwelcome a full recognition ever after of his standing as a Christian. Same word and tense as Romans 15:7.

but not to doubtful disputations Lit. not to criticisms of (his) scruples. The word "but" is not in the Gr., and changes the exact point of the clause, which is q. d., "receivehim, do not criticizehim; let him in with a welcome, not with a call to discussion." The noun rendered "criticisms" (or its cognate verb) is used (e.g. 1 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 5:14;) for detection of differences;and again (e.g. 1 Corinthians 11:31, E. V. "judgeourselves,") for judicial enquiry and sentence, literal or figurative. "Criticism" thus fairly represents it in a context like this, where needless keenness in balancing varying convictions, and the consequent sentenceof private or public opinion, is in view. "His scruples": same word as Romans 1:21, (E. V. "imaginations,") where see note. Here it is the reasoning of the mind with itself;doubt and perplexity.

Some general remarks are offered on the subject and the teaching of this chapter.

1. Two passages of St Paul's writings afford striking likenesses or equally striking contrasts to Romans 14; viz. 1 Corinthians 8, and the Epistle to the Galatians as a whole. In all these three places St Paul has in view differences of opinion within the visible Church. In 1 Corinthians 8, as here, he argues for mutual toleration; in Galatians he lays down, with unbending decision, the line between irreconcilables.